Reading 9

COMPREHENSION

Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland. Home to 580,000 people, the city sits on the River
Clyde. This river connects Glasgow to the Atlantic Ocean, twenty miles to the west. The city
covers about sixty-eight square miles and takes up much of the lower Clyde valley.
People began to settle in this area around the year 550. At that time, St. Kentigern started a
religious community and built a church. Around six hundred years later, Glasgow Cathedral was
built on the same land. Visitors to Glasgow today can visit this cathedral in the eastern part of the
city. In 1350, a stone bridge was built across the River Clyde. The University of Glasgow was
founded in 1451.
Glasgow’s location in the lower Clyde valley made it easy to reach from both the Scottish
highlands and the Scottish lowlands. For this reason, the town became a popular and successful
market center. In 1603, Scotland and England formed a union of the two countries under one
crown. This change started a great deal of growth for Glasgow. Because of the nearness of the
Atlantic Ocean, Glasgow became an important port. The city exported coal, textiles, and herring
to other European ports. Later the city did much trade with Americans. Storeowners in Glasgow
made a good living selling exotic American goods such as sugar, tobacco, and rum.
In Scotland and England, the Industrial Revolution lasted from the late 1700s to the
mid-1800s. During this time, Glasgow was a place of many industrial activities, such as
shipbuilding, iron making, coal mining, and chemical manufacturing. Glasgow’s industrial
success continued until the years after World War I. After several decades of decline, the city
began to come back to life in the late twentieth century.
Today the city produces cloth, chemicals, food products, and other goods. Many service
companies have had success in the city, especially companies dealing with communications and
computer software. Glasgow’s schools and important cultural institutions attract a growing
number of tourists. Schools include the University of Glasgow, the University of Strathclyde,
Glasgow Caledonian University, and Glasgow College of Nautical Studies. The city is also home
to the Scottish Opera, the Scottish Ballet, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and the
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

Directions
Choose the item that best answers each question about the selection you just read. Circle
the letter next to the answer.
____ 1 About how old is the city of Glasgow?
A 410 years
B 660 years
C 1,410 years
D 1,460 years
____ 2 Which of the following conclusions can you draw from the first paragraph?
F Glasgow is the largest city in England.
G Glasgow was not always Scotland’s largest city.
H Glasgow is a large and important city.
J The River Clyde begins in the Scottish highlands.
____ 3 Which of the following conclusions can you draw from the second paragraph?
A St. Kentigern was a carpenter.
B Glasgow Cathedral is nearly one thousand years old.
C Glasgow Cathedral is modern Glasgow’s most popular tourist destination.
D The University of Glasgow is still an active university.
____ 4 What is the author’s purpose in listing details about industrial activities such as coal
mining, iron making, and chemical manufacturing?
F persuading the reader of Glasgow’s filth and unhealthiness
G informing the reader with facts
H entertaining the reader with vivid images
J describing the drama of industrial life
____ 5 Which of the following conclusions can you draw from the third paragraph?
A Glasgow is located in the Scottish lowlands.
B England and Scotland were at war in 1603.
C Coal was mined in the Scottish highlands.
D Scottish people traveled to Glasgow to buy and sell goods.
____ 6 What has been new to Glasgow in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries?
F textile manufacturing.
G service industries
H the success of colleges and universities
J farming and coal mining
____ 7 Which of the following conclusions can you draw from the fourth paragraph?
A The Industrial Revolution started in England and spread north to Scotland.
B The city’s industrial success fell off around 1918.
C Scotland did not participate in World War I.
 D Glasgow struggled until the start of World War I.
____ 8 Which of the following conclusions can you draw from the fifth paragraph?
F Traditional Scottish plaid is manufactured in Glasgow.
G Glasgow is home to more universities than any other Scottish city.
H Service companies outnumber manufacturing companies today.
J People come to Glasgow to attend art and cultural events.
Reading 9
Answer Section

1 ANS: D PTS: 1
NAT: G6_CCSS_Literature 1. Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says
explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. | G6_CCSS_Informational Text 1. Cite
textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn
from the text.
2 ANS: H PTS: 1
NAT: G6_CCSS_Literature 1. Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says
explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. | G6_CCSS_Informational Text 1. Cite
textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn
from the text.
3 ANS: B PTS: 1
NAT: G6_CCSS_Literature 1. Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says
explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. | G6_CCSS_Informational Text 1. Cite
textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn
from the text.
4 ANS: G PTS: 1
NAT: G6_CCSS_Literature 1. Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says
explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. | G6_CCSS_Literature 6. Explain how an
author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker in a text. | G6_CCSS_Informational
Text 6. Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed
in the text.
5 ANS: D PTS: 1
NAT: G6_CCSS_Literature 1. Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says
explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. | G6_CCSS_Informational Text 1. Cite
textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn
from the text.
6 ANS: G PTS: 1
NAT: G6_CCSS_Literature 1. Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says
explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. | G6_CCSS_Informational Text 1. Cite
textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn
from the text.
7 ANS: B PTS: 1
NAT: G6_CCSS_Literature 1. Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says
explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. | G6_CCSS_Informational Text 1. Cite
textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn
from the text.
8 ANS: J PTS: 1
NAT: G6_CCSS_Literature 1. Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says
explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. | G6_CCSS_Informational Text 1. Cite
textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn
from the text.